News

Are you thinking about purchasing a piano? Maybe you already have one, and it will be moving to a new home with you. Perhaps you’re hoping to renovate your home or simply rearrange the furniture for a fresh, new look. In either of these scenarios, you’ll need to think about where to place your piano once everything is done.

Several factors should be taken into consideration when determining the ideal placement for a piano. Many of them wouldn’t even cross most people’s minds when choosing a spot for such a beautiful, melodious instrument. Still, they’re no less important for not only getting the most enjoyment out of the piano but keeping it in optimal shape. As you’re looking for services from Piano Movers of Texas to help with your upcoming plans, think about the following points.

Consider the Space You Have

In the end, the room in which you place your piano is your decision. Having said that, space is one of the most basic factors to consider. The room should fit the piano and vice versa. For example, a fairly small upstairs bedroom probably wouldn’t be the ideal place for a luxurious grand piano. On the other hand, a standard upright model wouldn’t really be at home in the middle of a spacious den.

Ideally, there should be plenty of space surrounding the piano, and that’ll help make it the highlight of the room while giving the player enough clearance to stretch out and enjoy honing their craft. Don’t take matters too far, though. Having a small piano and bench sitting alone with too much empty square footage surrounding it could lead to unusual sound quality, unpleasant echoes, and other problems.

Humidity Levels Take Priority

As you may be aware, high humidity is the enemy when it comes to pianos. It can cause the wood to warp and crack while eventually damaging the soundboard, keys, and other components. If the humidity is too low, the same issues could ensue. Extreme fluctuations in humidity levels throughout the day will also hamper sound quality and lead to significant damage.

With that in mind, think about areas of your home where humidity levels may fluctuate or constantly fall outside the ideal range for a piano, which is between 45 and 60 percent. In most cases, that includes the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room. Placing a piano near radiators, heating and air conditioning units, or directly underneath vents isn’t advised. Never, under any circumstances, should you place a piano in a garage or unfinished basement.

Now, let’s look at the more suitable rooms for your piano. Multi-purpose and family rooms are often nice choices. Perhaps you have a breakfast nook or dining room that would be a great fit for the piano. As long as the spot you choose isn’t too close to the kitchen or other sources of humidity, you should be in good shape.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures can also take a toll on pianos, and that’s another reason they shouldn’t be placed in rooms without climate control or near HVAC units or vents. At the same time, we recommend keeping your piano away from exterior doors and drafty windows. Heat or cold from outside can creep inside and cause your piano to deteriorate over time. That damage may not be noticeable at first, but it’ll eventually become evident. By then, it may not be reversible.

If your home is equipped with radiant floor heating, you may be a bit concerned right now. Don’t worry; all hope isn’t lost. You can place the piano on a thick rug or protective mat to prevent direct contact with the heat coming from the floor, and that’ll keep the heat from slowly destroying your piano.

Stay Away from Direct Sunlight

Direct sunlight is also an archnemesis to contend with. Sunlight beaming in through a window can affect the temperature of your piano. As mentioned, heat causes its own level of damage. To make matters worse, UV rays from the sun can cause a piano’s finish to crack and fade, and they may even lead to internal damage if given half the chance.

Because of that, it’s best not to place a piano near a window through which sunlight frequently shines. If you must position it close to a window, be sure to cover the window with blinds, shades, or heavy drapes. That could reduce the amount of heat and UV radiation coming in through the window and give your piano extra protection against possible deterioration.

From the Perspective of Sound Quality

With the basic hazards covered, let’s switch gears for a moment. No doubt, you want the best possible sound quality from your piano no matter where you ultimately place it. Many people fail to realize that certain elements in a room can make a major difference in sound quality.

Pianos generally come in two distinct varieties: bright and mellow. Bright pianos produce lighter, happier, more high-pitched tones. That often means they’re more prone to echoing. As such, it’s best to place them in carpeted rooms or on area rugs. You can further dampen the sharpness of their sounds by placing upholstered furniture nearby and hanging tapestries. Mellow pianos, on the other hand, produce richer, darker sounds. They typically sound better in rooms with hard floors and surroundings.

Finding the Ideal Spot for Your Piano

Ideally, all pianists’ homes would be equipped with perfect acoustics and specially designed music rooms. Unfortunately, very few homes offer those features. In short, the best place for a piano is an adequately spacious interior room away from drafts, direct sunlight, and sources of heat, cold, or humidity.

Though many experts recommend placing a piano in the middle of the room, that position is usually reserved for grand and baby grand models. People typically place uprights against walls. Remember, the tone of your piano combined with its surroundings makes a difference as well. Also, remember that all these rules extend beyond acoustic pianos to include electronic models.

At Piano Movers of Texas, we’re here to help make sure you get the most out of your piano. We know how to move pianos safely to avoid detracting from their sound quality or aesthetic appeal. If you’re still unsure where to place your piano, we can also help with that. Feel free to contact us and let us know what we can do for you.